I have a guitar body I want to strip the paint off of so I can repaint it something more interesting than freakin' black. Is there any reason why I can't use a product like Strip-Eeze? I have a lot of experience with it on furniture, but don't know if it wouldn't be good on a guitar. I don't want to sand all the paint off, that's for sure.

Poly removal is a different ballgame altogether. Usually gets down to sandpaper & elbow grease eventually.

G.

Crap. O.K., thanks, Geoff! I have a couple of electric sanders that can probably get me started.

I was disappointed once I opened this thread....

Perhaps a disclaimer in the title would help?

"Overweight, Old, Hairy Bassist Stripping"

Since 56 people looked at it and only 3 responded, perhaps you weren't the only one...

First you need a pole.

I put on some nice trumpetey jazz, Al Hirt maybe, and start by slowly unbuttoning my shirt...

I was relieved... (I've seen Chad's photo )

Envy is an ugly emotion, Graham. Don't hate me 'cause I'm beautiful.

If you heat the finish, it should come off relatively easily.

Use strip eze or citrus strip. Put it on thick and let it sit. Scrape it good and wash it clean. That may be enough, otherwise use heat, being careful not to char.

I'd try the heat first, who wants to strip in the cold?

Let us know how it goes, I have to refinish a bass this fall.

When using the heat gun try not to scorch the wood as the poly bubbles up. Also, move around on the body so you don't overheat one area. Some glue seams, where the body woods are glued together, may split open if over heated. A heatgun is the easiest way to remove Poly.
Rocky

You're the easiest way to remove Poly.

When last I stripped a Strat body covered in poly, I:

Found a suitable surface, and covered it in lots of newspaper;

Applied generous coatings of a citrus-bases stripper;

Gave the process lots of time;

Studied the resulting mess;

Cleaned everything up as much as possible, and used sandpaper for the rest.

Actually came out ok, after a while. YMMV.
A heat gun in a well-ventilated place would probably improve things.

Peace,

wraub


(not a fan of poly.)

Not bad. But tell the band a little less snare drum, a little more sax for the next show.